An Orlando man is facing up to life in prison after federal jurors found him guilty of committing a string of armed robberies in the Central Florida area over a one-week span in 2023.
On Friday, May 23, 2025, U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Kehoe announced that a federal jury has found 23-year-old Nijah Jahni Mitchell guilty of Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy, four counts of Hobbs Act robbery, four counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Mitchell was indicted in April of 2024, along with co-defendant Dany Telfort. Six months later, Telfort pleaded guilty to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and he was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison.
According to evidence presented at trial, between March 23 and April 1, 2023, Mitchell and Telfort participated in a total of nine armed robberies of convenience stores throughout Central Florida.
The robberies took place over three sprees on three separate evenings. The first spree included four stores, followed by three stores on the second evening and two additional stores on the third evening.
During each of the robberies, Mitchell or Telfort entered the store, pointed a firearm at employees, and demanded money from the cash registers.
After Mitchell and Telfort had robbed multiple convenience stores, a witness obtained a partial license plate for their vehicle. The following evening, during the third spree, law enforcement officers spotted a vehicle after the ninth robbery had been committed, and a chase ensued.
During the pursuit, Mitchell and Telfort both exited the vehicle while it was still moving, and they fled on foot. Telfort managed to elude law enforcement, but Mitchell was apprehended later that night.
At the time of Mitchell’s arrest, he was wearing a mask that had been worn during the third robbery spree. In addition, a loaded Glock pistol was found in his possession, and a Taurus pistol was located inside the vehicle that contained DNA belonging to both Mitchell and Telfort.
A sentencing hearing for Mitchell is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. He is facing a minimum penalty of 28 years, up to life, in federal prison.
This case was investigated by multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Orlando Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Clermont Police Department, Ocoee Police Department, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and Oakland Police Department.
Additionally, this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence.